Looms



March 15, 1960 G. w. DUNHAM LOOMS Filed May 29, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 krofxlilak INVENTOR fi'mg'ge IZ Juuk am ATTORN Y March 15, 1960 (51w. DUNHAM LOOMS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1956 ATTOR EY March 15,- 1960 G. w. DUN HAM LOOMS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 29, 1956 INVENTOR ll- Q \m I m m n, w w w x mm H 2.. L

k w i March 1950 ca. w. DUNHAM 2,928,428

' LOOMS Filed May 29, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR March 15, 1960 s. w. DUNHAM 2,928,428

LOOMS Filed May 29, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 15, 1960 G. w. DUNHAM LOOMS Filed May 29, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent LOOMS I George W. Dunham, Wilton, Conn. Application May 29, 1956,, Serial No. 588,152

40 Claims. (Cl. 139126') This invention relates to looms and particularly to looms of the type by which filling threads are woven into a fabric from separate supply sources located at opposite sides of the loom. In such looms aweft carrier or pilot picks up a leading end of a filling thread. at one side of the loom and carries it across the loom where the inserted thread is released and the leading end of another thread is pickedup and carried across the loom in the reverse direction. An object of theinvention is to provide mechanisms operable at high speed for the place ment of threads in this manner.

The invention provides positively acting and precisely timed mechanisms for. the. automatic projecting of a pilotto andfro lengthwise of a-lay insuccessive cyclesof movement of the lay, the picking up of a weft thread by the pilot, the releaseofaninserted thread'frorn the pilot, the shearing of the trailing end of an inserted thread from a source of Supply for each, projection of the pilot, and controls for automatically efiecting these operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide mecha-' nisms capable of carrying Out the foregoing functions, which are wholly mounted on a lay or laybeam and: controlled to operate in timed relation to the movementof the laybeam and under power derived from the crank! shaft as the crankshaft reciprocates the lay. The pilotis received in and projected fromprojeetors mounted on the opposite ends of the lay. These projectors are similarly constructed and operated, and they. alternately project a pilot in succeeding cycles of the'crankshaft as the lay moves backwardly. The pilot is received inand projected from a box which.forms part of oris associated with each projector.

Each projector is activatedor cocked to propel a pilot,

and all operations incident to the propulsion of a pilot and the placing and cutting of filling threads are controlled from and in timed. relation to the movement of asingle element in. the form of a slide rod; which is associated with each projector and is reciprocated by the movement of the lay. The. slide rodssare carried by the lay, one adjacent to and parallel to each ofthe projectors. The slide rods are actuatedin unison and move inwardly or toward each other during each. backward movement of the lay, and outwardlyor away from. each other during each forward movement ofthe layby.

a pivotal connection between eachsliderod and a stationary frame of the loom. All of'the motion producing and controlling mechanisms associated'with the projectorsare mountable on a laybeam and thus provide an assem.

blage adapted for the replacement of laybeams and pilotprojecting mechanisms of existing looms for the purpose of attaininga rate of production higher thanrthat obtain,

able by thereplaced mechanism.

Further and other objects of. the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the-accompanyingspecification and claims and shown in the'drawing which shows by way of illustration a preferred'embodirnent and thefprinciple-thereofand' what I now considerto bethe best' mode in which I have contemplated applying that prineipl In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top view of the left hand projector with; parts shown in position as the lay is moving towardsthe back of the loom and before the propelling plunger is tripped to project a pilot;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of theback of'the'lefl: hand projector shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is'ahorizontal section on line 4--4 of Fig. 2;;

Fig. 5 is a view of the left hand projector as. sfien from the back, partly in section; with the plungerreleased and the lay in back position; I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of thebackofia portion of the left hand projector partly broken away and showing the position of the parts during the forward 'movement of the lay which immediately precedes the backward movement of the lay during which the pilot is projected; v

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of'the' inboard end of the left hand projector shown in Fig. 2; v Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line 8--'8 of Fig. 2;. Fig. 9 is an elevational view looking toward the left loom side from the right side of the loom;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view looking toward the lay:

from the back of the loom;

Fig. 11 illustrates the action of the warp tensioning' V mechanism upon breakage of a filling thread;

Fig. 12 is an end view'of the warp tensioning mochanisrn as seen from the left of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged horizontal view of the shears operating mechanism as seen from above; 1

Fig. 14 is an end view of the shears operating-meetin nism showing the shears open; I

Fig. 15 is a vertical view of the shears'as seen from: the right side of Fig. 14; h

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view oftheshears; illustrating the holding of a thread after cutting;

Fig. 17 is a top view of a pilot, partly broken away;

Fig. 18 is a side view of the pilot with one end broken away to show the thread-engaging gripper; v

Fig. 19 is an elevational view of the inboard end of a left hand projector which is provided with a thread releasing device;

Fig. 20 is an elevational view of the back of the projector shown in Fig. 19.

In the following description and in the claims, variousi' details will be identified by specific names for con: venience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the artxwill permit. I

In the drawing accompanying and forming Part of this; specification, certainspecific disclosure of theinventioniis made for purposes ofexplanation, butit'will be under? stood that the details maybe modified in various'respects; without departure from the broad aspect of the invention:,.

The projector and the operating mechanisms associated therewith at opposite ends of the lay are mirror likenesses of one another and they function alike in successivecycles of the loom but with like functions of the respec tive projectors and operating mechanisms occurring atintervals of 360 of rotation of the crankshaft of the V loom. Two complete cycles of the crankshaft, or four.

strokes of. the lay are required'for each projector and? its associated operating mechanisms .to perform a'single Since the same actions occur;

complete'series of actions. in the respective projectors at opposite endsof the.lay.

atintcrvals of 360", all actions of-one projector-during one cycle are duplicatedby the other projector. during...

an alternate cycle. As there is one reciprocation consisting of ftwo strolcos i of thelay in each cycle; and 'two cycles are required to complete the action of a projector, the actions will be gaze teer,

described as occurring during the backward and forward movements of the lay in either an oddor an evennumbered cycle, as the case may be, in,which a particular action takes place For example, during an odd numbered backward movement of the lay the pilot ispro jected from one projector and on, the even-numbered backward movement of the lay the pilot is projected from the other projector andall other operations of th respective projectors follow in order.

vThcconstruction and actions of both projectors can be understood from a detailed descriptionof either one. The projector at the left end of the lay is illustrated in detail in the drawing. Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7. and 8, a projector body is bolted by bolts, 11 to the outboard end of the lay 12 which extends beyond the left hand loom side 13. The left hand sword of the loom is shown at 14. In Fig. 1, the lay is in approximately mid-position and is moving backwards, which is towards the lower edge of the sheet, as indicated by the arrow 15.; The inboard end of the projector is channelled and is provided with bottom and side liners 16 and a top gib 17, Fig. 1, which together form a box for receiving a pilot 18, shown fully home in projecting position in Fig. 3; The body of the projector is bored from its outboard end 1?. A pair of projecting springs 20 and 21 are disposed within a sleeve 22 which lines the bore. The outboard end of the bore is closed by a threaded member 23 screwed into place within the bore. The member 23 serves to buttress the outer ends of the springs 20 and 21. The inner ends of the springs bear upon the head 25of a plunger 26 which projects the pilot 18 each time the energy stored in the springs 20 and 21 is released.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, the plunger is in cocked position and the springs are compressed.

' The plunger is guided by the sleeve 22 anda smaller sleeve 27 mounted in the projector body 10. When in cocked position, the plunger is located principally in the sleeve 22. When the plunger is released to the action of the springs 20 and 21, the plunger projects the pilot across the loom. The inward movement of the plunger is arrested when it comes in contact with a bumper cap 28 which'is supported on one end of a bumper 29 to the other end of which is fastened a retainer cap 30. The bumper comprises a hollow cylinder of a composition of impact deadening material which minimizes the rebound of the plunger and hysteresis of the springs, thus prolonging their useful life. The plunger 26 is shown at the end of the projecting stroke in Fig. 5.

' As best seen'in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 8, the plunger 26 is held in its cocked position by a plurality of cooperating to one end of which the cocking latch 34 is secured. The

rockshaft also has fastened thereto one end of the double arm bracket 38 between the arms of which the plunger catch 33 is pivotally mounted by a pin 39 carried by the free ends of the arms of the bracket. The catch 33 is pivotally mounted on the pin 39 and is biased by a spring 40 to engage its arm 41 with the round hub of the bracket 38 surrounding the center of pivot of the bracket, as shown in Fig. 6.

When the plunger is in cocked position, the bracket 38 is held in a substantially horizontal position by the engagement of the arm 42 of the cocking latch 34 on the shoulder 43 of the trigger latch 35, as shown 'in Fig. 6. In this condition of the mechanism, the finger 44 of the jector body by the stem of a screw 46. Spring 47 (Fig.. 2), connecting between the cocking latch 34 and the trigger latch is tensioned to rock the rockshaft 37 clockwise and the trigger latch counterclockwise. When the cocking latch 34 is released from shoulder 43 by a tripping movement of the trigger 35, the finger 42 slips from the shoulder 43 of the trigger and the cocking latch and rockshaft 37 are rocked clockwise, as seen in Fig. 5.

The engagement of the finger 42 with the shoulder 43' of a notch in the trigger 35 arrests the clockwise rotation of the rockshaft 37. The rocking of the rockshaft 37 raises thebracket 38 and the catch 33 is raised sufficiently V for the finger 44 to clear the head of the. plunger and oddnumbered cycle of the loom,and the right hand plunger releasing during an even-numbered cycle of-the loom.

The trigger and the, plunger releasing latches of the respective left and. right hand projectors are restored to cocked position during jtheforward movements of the lay in alternate cycles. As a plunger nears its cocked position a pin 50 in plunger head 25engages a depending fingerSl on the latch 34 and rotates the latch and the bracket 38 counterclockwise until the finger 42 can engage on the shoulder 43 of the trigger latch 35. The trigger latch is rotated in the same direction under the action of the spring 47. Meanwhile the catch' 33 resiliently yields as the catch and the bracket are lowered and the plunger head 25 passes under the finger 44 and then, with the catch fully'lowered the finger 44 engages the inner side of the plunger; head and holds the plunger in cocked position. 1 I

The. plunger releasing and cocking actions are brought I about by the movements of a slide rod 52 which is mountthe projector body 10 is supported on *the lay; The

ed to slide in bearings 53, 54, in the standards by which block and is pivotally connected to a pair of links 58,

Figs-1 and 3. The other ends of the links are pivotally connected to an arm59 which is fastened to the upper end of a shaft 60 journalled in a base 61 supported on thezlay by a frame 62, Fig. 9. The frame 62 is fastened to the lay by bolts 63 and extends toward the front of the loom. "The lower end of the shaft 60 has fixed thereto a lever arm 64 whose free end is pivotally connected by a link 65 to a post 66 which is attached to and stands upwardly from a' stationary bracket 67. The bracket 67 is solidly attached to the loomside 13 by bolts 68. The arrangement is such that when the lay moves backwardly, the slide rod 52 moves toward the inboard end of the lay, as in Figs. 2 and '4, and as the lay moves forwardly the slide rod moves toward the outboard end of the lay, .as in Fig. 6.

The plunger is released and the pilotis projected at approximately midway of the backward movement of the 7 outwardly. The retracting of theflplunger is accom-,

catch 33 engages the inward side of the head 25 of the plunger and holds the plunger against theaction of the springs 20 and 21. i a

The trigger latch 35 is pivotally Supported Q 1. the pro- The cocking fork 70 is. guided for vertical movement in grooves 71 and 72 in the side walls of the block. The cocking fork is .normally urged downwardly by a spring 73' (Figs. 6 and 8), its lower position being determined by; the stops 75 and 76which-extend into slots in the side arms of the work. In. its lowermost position, thefingers 77 of the fork arevbelow the level of the ends ofthe pin 50 which extends laterally from the plunger head 25, and the fingers remainin this positi on except when thc'slide rod52 approachesthe end ofits ward m ysms 4 wh n. ha t s been c wa ed a Sfithey engage the pin 50 during the outward movement of the slide rod for restoring the plunger to cocked' position.

As the lay moves backwardly; the slide rod 52 moves inwardly and carries the cocking fork along with it but in depressed position, Fig. 2. At it approaches the end of'the inward stroke the bevelled surface 80 on the lower surface of the fork comes into contact with the bevelled surface 81 on a slide elevator 82. The slide elevator 82 is supported in a guide 83 for movement lengthwise of the slide rod 52. The ends of the guide determine the limits of'movement of the elevator in both directions. The elevator is urged outwardly by a spring 85, as shown in Fig. 2. As the inwardly moving fork contacts the eleva tor 82'it carries the elevator along with it against the action of the spring 85 until it reaches the limit of its inward movement in guide 83, causing the fork to be cammed upward over the bevelled surface 81 and thereby rise onto the upper horizontal surface of the elevator, as shown in Fig. 5. This is accomplished by proportioning the forces of the springs 73, 85, and also the slope of the bevelled surface 81 over which the fork slides. The elevatr follows the fork as it begins its outward movement and until the upper ends 77 of the fork contact the ends of the pin 59 on the plunger head 25. The reaction of the projecting springs 20, 7.1 is sufficient to hold the fork up and in engagement with the pin 50 and the continued outward movement of the fork restores the plunger to cocked position. On approaching the cocked position the plunger head 25 brushes past the finger 44 of the catch 33 and the pin 50 engages the arm 51 of the latch 34 and rocks the latch and the shaft 37 counterclockwise. At the end of the cocking stroke the plunger is restrained and held in cocked position by the finger 44 and the latches 33, 34 and 35, as described hereinabove, and the fork is thereupon depressed by the spring 73, so as to clearthe pin 50.

During the cycle of the loom in which the functioning of the left hand projector and the movements of its associated slide rod 52 were described, in the first stroke of the lay the lay moved from full front to full back with the-slide rod moving inwardly and in the second stroke of the lay the lay moved from full back to full front with the slide rod moving outwardly. For convenience this cycle is termed an odd-numbered cycle. During this cycle the tripping mechanism was actuated and the pilot was projected from the left side and received in the right hand projector, the plunger was retracted, and the cocking catch and trigger latch mechanism was reset.

In the next or even-numbered cycle the slide rod 52 again completes an inward and an outward movement and on the inward movement the cocking fork 70 is raised by the elevator 82, as above explained, but it drops to its lowermost position during the outward movement of the slide rod because the plunger 26 was retracted during the previous odd-numbered cycle and is therefore not in position to be engaged by the fingers 77 of the fork. The fork remains lowered when the plunger is again released to propel a pilot during the first part of the backward movement of the lay in the next odd-numbered cycle of the loom.

The tripping mechanism by which the trigger 35 is actu ated to release the plunger 26 during an odd-numbered cycle of the loom as the lay moves backwardly will now be described. As the lay moves backwardly and the slide rod 52 moves inwardly (Fig. 2), the trigger 35 is actu ated to release the plunger whenever a pilot is contained in the projector. This is because the tripping mechanism is set for operation only when a pilot has been received from the projector at the other end of the lay.

The tripping mechanism includes a tripping slide 86 which slides over the back surface of the block 55. The outboard end of the slide 86 is supported and guided by the head of the screw 56 and a roller 87 on the screw which is in sliding engagement with a sloping slot 88 in the tripping slide. The inboardend of the tripping slide has a flange 89 extending at right angles thereto and hawing an opening through which the slide rod 52 passes. The slide 86 is slidable on the slide rod 52 with the rod serving as a sliding pivot for the flange 89 and with the roller 87 and the slot 88 guiding the outboard end of the slide upwardly and downwardly.

A trigger-actuating cam 91 extends laterally from the outboard end of the slide 86. Whenever the cam 91 is in raised position to actuate the trigger 35', as viewed in Fig. 2, the guide 87 is in engagement with the outer end 94 of the slot 88, and, as the slide 86 is carried along inwardly with the slide rod 52, the trigger is actuated by the cam and thereafter the flange 89 engages a stop 93 which holds the slide from further inward movement. The stop 93 is fastened to the underside of the projec-- tor box. As the slide rod 52 continues to move inwardly, the guide 87 travels along the slot 88 to the inner end- 95 of the slot, thereby pivoting the outboard end of the slide 86 and the cam 91 downwardly.

The cam will remain lowered and will clear the arm 96 of the trigger during the next outward and inward movements of the slide rod and slide. During said next inward movement the pilot has been released from the other end of the lay and received in the projector at the left hand end of the lay so that the cam'91 may be reset to trigger-actuating position on the following forward movement of the lay as the slide rod is moving outwardly. With the pilot in the box of the projector and the pivoted stop 97 depressed by the pilot, the stop is in position to engage the flange 89 on the slide 86 and stop the slide as the slide rod" 52 moves outwardly, as shown in Fig. 6. As the slide rod continues outwardly the guide 87 is carried along the slot 88 to its outer end 94 and raises the cam 91 into trigger-tripping position preparatory to the tripping action which will take place during the following backward stroke of the lay (Fig. 2).

The tripping slide 86 is intermittently carried along with the slide rod 52 as above described by a link 100, i

which is pivotally attached to the'block 55 by the screw 56, and by frictional engagement between the link and the slide. post 98 which extends laterally from the slide and through a slot 99 in the link 180. A washer 101 of frictional material is continually pressed into contact with the link and the link is pressed into contact with the slide by a spring 102 between the washer and a collar 103 fixed to the end of the post. The spring is'sufiiciently strong to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the link, 100 and the slide 86 except when the slide is engaged by thefixed stop 93 or the pivoted stop 97.

When the slide engages the stop 93, the slide isstopped but the link continues to move inwardly with the block 55 and the slide rod 52, thus lowering the outer end of the slide as the guide 87 moves along the cam slot 88 to.- ward its end 95. This action lowers the post 98 and the inner end of the link 100. Whenever the slide engages the pivoted stop 97 during an outward movement, the. slide is stopped and the inner end of the link 100 rises as the link continues to move outwardly with the block 55 and the slide rod 52, and the post 98 rises as the guide 87 moves toward the outer end 94 of the cam slot 88 in the slide 86. As the slide 86 moves the cam, 91

upwardly or downwardly, the post 98 pivots the link 100 in the same direction about the center of the screw 56. The lowered position of the link 100 during an inward motion of the slide rods controls the actuation of the shears as will appear more fully hereinafter.v

The stop 97 is pivotally mounted on the projector body. by a pin 107 and is limited in its movements by a stationary pin 108 engaged in a slot in the stop. A spring 109 pivots the stop upwardly and raises a feeler spring, 110 (Fig. 5) whenever the feeler spring is not pressed downwardly by a pilot 18in projecting position in the projector body. The feeler spring ispivotally mounted As best seen in Fig. 4, the slide 86 carries a V on a pin 111. It hasan arm IIZ-resting'on the stop 97 and another arm 113 extending into the bore of the propresses the stop 97 against the action of the spring 109. In depressed position the stop 97 will arrest the outward movement of the tripping. slide 86, but is ineffectual to stop inward movements of the slide. The contacting of the arm 113 of the feeler spring by'the pilot as it ap cylindrical bumper cushion 116 and a ring of wear-resisting material 117 which has an inner periphery conforming to the shape of the nose of the pilot 18. The pilot is in home position when it isin contact with the ring 117. T oavoid excessive rebound of the pilot 'upon striking the ring 117, a spring-pressed latch 118 is provided, Fig. 3. The latch is mountedon a pivot pin 119 and its finger 120 extends through a slot 121 in the projector box. The spring 122 normally holds the latch against a stop pin 123. Each pilot has a metal plate 124 which is fastened in one side by screws 125, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 17. The plate is recessed to provide shoulders 126 and 127 for engagement by the latch 118 at either end of the lay.

The latch 118 is released from pilot-holding position by a pivoted arm 128 (Figs. 3, 19, and which rocks the latch out of engagement with the pilot before the pilot is projected. The arm 128 is mounted on a rockshaft 129 which is journalled in a pair of standards 130, 131, extending upwardly from the gib 17. The gib is fastened to the projector body by the screws 132.

The rock shaft 129 is actuated by a lever 133 which is fastened to the rock shaft and is connected to the trigger in the upper end of the lever 133. The lever 133 also serves as a depressor for a cantilever spring 136 which is anchored to the gib 17 by a screw 137 and extends toward the inboard end of the projector. The spring 136 is constantly in contact with the end of a depending arm 138 of the lever 133 and 1t 15 so shaped as to remain in a raised position when the slot 140 in the top surface of the pilot forwardly of the trailing book of one of two metal hooks 141 which are provided in the pilot for engaging and carrying a thread,-

across the loom.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, the pilot may be made of any suitable material such as a light metal, or may be.

moulded from a synthetic organic plastic in which the thread-engaging hooks 141 adjacent the ends are anchored in place. Each hook has a right angle portion extending into the body of the pilot for permanently attaching the hook to the pilot. The hooks extend parallel to and within the longitudinal groove 140 in the topf surface of the pilot. The pilot preferably has. a rectangularcross- 35 by an adjustable link 134, Fig. 5. The inner end of the link is threaded into a swivel 135 which is journalled section with rounded edges, although it may be otherwise shaped to conform with the openings in the guides143 which, provide a raceway between the projectors. A" spring .rnember 144 is disposedbeneath each hook 141 i whereby a yieldable thread-gripping device is provided. The spring memberis supported by engagement of its ends with the bottom'of the groove and with its top surface pressing against the under side of the hook 141 so that a filling thread extending across the groove may be picked up by engagement between the hook and the spring as the pilot is projected. The spring 144 is so shaped below the loop end of the hook as to provide a free space which eliminates the collection of lintunder; the hook. The otherend of the spring is bent down-. wardly into an opening 145 through which a tool may;

be inserted to raise the end of the spring from the bottom of the groove wheneverit is desirableto replace a spring.

The side of the pilot opposite from the recessed lock,- ing plate 124, whose function has previously been described, has two longitudinally disposed slots 147 which terminate in cam surfaces 148 adjacent each end of the; The slot and cam at one end, functions with one projector and the slot and cam at'the other end functions with the projector at the other end of the lay. A cam surface actuates an axially movable pin 149 whichoper-. ates a safety switch 150 when the pin-is displaced by the. cam and is held in displaced position by the side surface; 151 of the pilot. This occurs when the pilot is fully home. in one or the other of the two projector boxes. Unless;

pilot;

the safety switch is operated at the proper time theloom. is stopped.

After a thread has'been carried across, the loom and before the pilot is projected in the reverse direction, the

spring 144 is depressed to release the gripped thread and I the thread is cleared from the pilot.

pilot is about to be projected from the left hand projector. The filling thread 153 is shown as coming from a supply cone 154 which may be mounted on the flooror on a; special stand providedlconvenient to the end of the lay The thread 153 passes through a guide 155 on the lay, and is threaded through the weft tensioning mechanism generally indicated at 156, guides 157 and 158 from,

which the thread extends, through a shallow space below the gib 17, diagonally across the longitudinal groove 140 in the pilot to the shearing mechanism generally indicated 1 at 160 (Fig. 1), by which the previously cut end is being held, as will be hereinafter described. As has been .ex-

plained, the length of thread extending over the groove 140 is depressed by the depressor springmember136 to be engaged by the trailing hook of the pilot as the pilot.

leaves the projector box.

The pilot is propelled from the box as the cam 91 on the inwardly moving slide 86 trips the trigger-latch 35.

The Weft tensioning mechanism 156 includes a plate 161,

bolted to the backside of the projector body 10. t A rod 162 is slidably mounted in bosses 163, 164. The rod has fixed thereto a control cam 165 which is adapted to engage the lower arm of a switch spring 167, pivotally supported by a stud 168, to raise the lower arm, a verti-,

cally slidable rod 169 and a pivoted leaf member 170 when the cam 165 is brought into engagement with the lower arm of the switch spring 167 upon actuation of therod 162 by the finger 171 on the slide rod 52 during the inward movement of the slide rod as the lay moves backwardly. A finger 172 is provided on the slide rod to disengage the control cam 165 from the switch spring as the lay approaches the end of its forward stroke.

The thread 153 is centered on the leaf member 170 by an eye 173 on the leaf member and it is drawn freely over the leaf member while the pilot is in flight and until the pilot nears the other end of the lay when the leaf member 170 is raised by the control cam 165 and the travelling thread is pressed against a fiexible blade 174. This action '1 extending finger 179 which normally rests upon the thread,

Fig. 2, as the thread extends between two fixed wire loops 180. .lf the thread breaks the horizontal arm of the angle amass of the switch spring 167 and so permits the switch spring to be pivoted by the control cam 165. Therefore when the thread breaks the switch spring actuates a pin 182 of a safety switch 183 and the loom is stopped.

The shearing mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 7, 13, 14, and 16; The trailing end of an inserted filling thread is sheared at the left hand projector as the lay moves backwardly during an even-numbered cycle while the pilot is in the right hand projector. Soon after the lay starts moving backwardly, the jaws of the shears open and the continued backward motion of the lay causes the trailing end of the inserted filling thread to be received in the open jaws, and seized and cut as the shears close as the lay continues back-wardly. The closing action of the shears causes the severed end, which is subsequently to become a leading end of another weft, to be held until it is picked up by the projection of the pilot from the left hand projector.

The shears include a non-rotatable blade 186 which is carried by a bracket 187 fast to the front of the projector box, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 7 and 14. The bracket has a nose 188 which extends over and across the chamber of the projector box for guiding the filling thread to the open jaws of the shears, and a vertically extending abutment 189 which limits the movement of the thread into the open jaws.

The blade 186 is supported from the bracket 187 by a stud 190 and a sleeve 191, both of which are firmly secured in the bracket. A movable shear'blade 192 is pivotally mounted on the sleeve 191. A spacer 193 and a spring member 194 are'supported between the bracket 187 and the movable blade by the stud and the sleeve. The blade 186, movable blade 192, spring member 194 and washer 193 are pressed axially together and against the bracket 187 by the engagement of the head 195 of a shaft 196 with the blade 186 and a spring 197 which is compressed between the bracket and a pin 198 through the shaft. 7 p

The thread end which is cut by the shearing action of the movable blade 192 and the blade 186 is held between the movable blade and the spring member 194 to later constitute the leading end of a new filling thread.

The movable shear blade 192 has a depending arm 199 which is normally drawn forwardly to close the shears (Fig. 7) by a spring 200 connecting between the arm 199 and a bracket 201. In closed position the arm is held against a stop 202. The lower end of the arm 199 is engaged by an arm 203 pivotally mounted on the laybeam on a pivot 204 (Figs. 4 and 13). The other arm 205 of the lever has a fork connection with an arm 206 of the bell crank lever 207 which is also pivotally mounted on the laybeam by a pin 208. The arm 209 of the bell crank lever extends towards the back of the laybeam and is disposed to be engaged by a finger 210, which is pivotally mounted on the link 100, when the link 100 and the finger 210 are in a lowered position. As shown in Fig. 2, the finger 210 is mounted on apivot pin 211 and it is normally supported by a pin 212 extending from the link 100 into a 'slot 213 in the finger. A spring 214 biases the finger against the pin 212 and permits the finger to pivot upwardly on the pin 211 to allow closing of the shears, as will presently appear.

As previously explained, when the trigger latch is to be actuated to release the plunger to project a pilot, as shown in Fig. 2, the slide 86 and the link 100 are in raised positions and the finger 210 passes above the arm 209 of the bell crank lever. Whenthe inward movement of the slide 86 is interrupted by'the stop 93, the slide 86 is pivoted downwardly and this action lowers the post 98 and the link 100 which 'isfulc'rum ed on the screw 56; As the slide rod 52 reverses 'and moves out- Wardly, the link 100 remains in its down position, but the finger210 rides over the arm 209 ofthe'bell crank level 207 due to the yielding of- 'the s'p ring 214. Dtiring'tl'i'e inward "stroke of the slide rod 52 in "the next cycle, the

even-numb red cycle, the link 100 is 'still down and the end of the finger 210 is disposed in the plane of the are- 209 and actuates the bell crank lever to cause the shears to open. The finger 210 is released from engagement with the arm 209 by a camming member 216 which is, supported by and extends from the back side of the lay in a position to engage the cam surface 217 adjacent the end of the finger 210. The engagement of the cam surface with the cam finger occurs after the filling thread has been brought into the open jaws of the shears. When the finger 210 is cammed upwardly against the action of the spring 214, the spring 200 actuates the" movable blade to close the shears and cut the thread.

At the beginning of the closing movement of the movjable blade 192, the thread is depressed by the moving blade and is seized between the blunt side of the moving blade and the spring plate 194 before the thread is cut.

The trailingend of the inserted thread is freed by the I cutting action, but the leading end of the later to be inserted thread is held fast between the movable blade 192 and the spring plate 194, as illustrated in Fig. 16.

. The held end of the thread extends between the shears and the eye 158 (Fig. 1) in a position beneath the spring member 139 (Fig. 5) in which it can be picked up by- The warps then reverse and the shed opens during the remainder of the cycle as the lay returns to full front position at 360 (0). Consequently, a filling thread inserted in one direction is bound in the cloth by the warp threads before a filling thread is carried in the opposite direction by a pilot projected from the other side of the loom. At 0 (360) there is a pilot present in either the left hand or the right hand projector. the lay moves backwardly the leading end of the last-- inserted filling thread is pulled free from the threadgripping means of the pilot and is subsequently blown into the fully open shed.

Mechanism may be employed to mechanically actuate the thread-gripping means 141, 144, of a pilot to free a thread from its gripping action. Such a mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20. This mechanism includes a thread-gripper releasing actuator in the form of a depressor arm 220 carried by a rock shaft 221 which is journalled in a sleeve 222 supported bythe standard 131. The arm 220 is mounted to rock in the. vertical plane of the longitudinal groove of a pilot contained in the projector box. The arm 138 which is carried by the lever 133 is so shaped as to clear the arm 220 as the former is moved to actuate the cantilever spring 136 to depress the leading end of a weft thread into 224 adapted to be engaged by a finger 225'extending hori-i zontally from a collar 226 fixed to the slide rod 52. Stop pins 227 and 228 extend from the back face of the projector box and determine the limits of swing of the arm 223. The finger 225 is so located on the slide rod 52 as to engage and raise the arm 223 to lower the depressor arm 220 as the slide rod 52 moves outwardly toward the end of the forward stroke of the lay. As thelay continues to move forwardly, the finger. '225 slides. along the underside of the horizontal portion 224 of the arm 223 and thereby holdsthe depressor arm 220 in its lowermost position. The depressor arm is held in its lowermost position as the motion of the lay reverses and until the lay has completed part of its backward stroke,

ae saze under the arm 223 (224).

The depressor arms 220 of the projectors at the ends of the lay are depressed to gripper-releasing positions each time the lay is in full front position, so that an arm is effective to free a thread from the pilot at whichever of the projectors the pilot is present.

The operation of the machine will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure. The principle of the invention and the apparatus which is now. considered to represent the best embodiments thereof-have been described in accordance with theprovisions of the patent statutes, but it is intended that the apparatus'disclosed is only illustrative and that the inlaybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of saidlaybeam, said device including a basemember mounted .on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base -memb er forprojecting a pilot from said base member,

means for retracting said plunger, meansincluding a trigger member for holding said plungerin retracted position, means for tripping said trigger member to release said plunger, means for actuating said tripping means,,a movable member mounted on said laybeam, means connected with said member and connected to a stationary some of these may be, altered and others omitted withmeans for trippingsaid holding means to release said member to project a pilot, and means for actuating said retracting means and said tripping means in timed relationship toithe movements of the laybeam, said actuating means including a member slidably mounted on said laybeam adjacent to said projecting device and articulated members having connection with said slidable member and connected to a stationary element of said loom whereby said slidable member is translated in opposite directions in different strokes of the laybeam and said actuating means'actuate said retracting means as the laybeam moves forwardly and said tripping means as the laybeam moves backwardly.

2; In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, meansfor retracting said plunger, means for holding said plunger in retracted position, means for tripping said holding nieans to release said plunger, means for actuating said retracting means and said tripping means, said actuating means including a movable member mounted on said laybeam, and articulated means connected with said movable member and connected to a stationary element of said loom for actuating said member in opposite direc tions in different strokes of said laybeam.

3. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said,

prising a cam member for actuating said trigger, means for reciprocating said cam member as the laybeam'moves forwardly and backwardly, and means to move said cam member into and outtof position for actuating said trigger during different strokes, of the laybeam.

i in a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a element ofsaid loom for actuating said member'in opposite directions in diiferent strokes of said laybeam, a cam member carried by said movablemember, means for positioning said cam'member in relation to said movable member to actuate said trigger member as the laybeam strokes in pnedirection, andmeans for positioning said cam member to avoid actuatingsaid triggermember as said cam member travels past said trigger during another stroke of the laybeam. i

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for positioning said cam member to actuate said trigger member includes a stop member engageable with said cam member and positionable by a pilot present in said projecting device to engage said cam member.

6. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said lay beam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, means for retracting said plunger, means for holding said: plunger in retractedposition,means for tripping said holding means to release said plunger, a movable member carried by and movable with respecttto said laybeam, said tripping means including a slide member carried by and movable with respect to said movable member, a cam on said slide member, means for displacing said slide and cam with respect tosaid movable member to set said cam to trip said tripping meanstwhen said movable member travels in tone'direction, means for moving said slide anclcam out of position for tripping said tripping means, means controlled by a pilot in said projecting device for moving said slide and cam into position for tripping said trippingdevice, and means for actuating 'said movable member in timed relation to the movement of the laybeam.;

7. ha loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device i forprojectin ga pilot lengthwise of. said laybeam, said device' including a base member mounted on said lay-.

beam, a' spring-actuated plunger movable, in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, means including a fork member for retracting said plunger,

meanstfor engaging said fork member lwithtsaid plunger, for retracting the plunger, means for holding said p lunger ber outof position for actuating said tripping means, andmeansvfor actuating said slide rod intimed relation to the,

movement of the laybeam.

,8. In ailoom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combinationcomprising a laybeam, a de-' vice for projecting" a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base, member for projecting apilot from saidtbase member,.'

means for retracting said plunger, means for holding said plungerin retractedposition, means for trippingsaid o d as. m ant. a latch nsas b w t a Pilo an seams- V 13 in'said base member, means for displacing said latch from pilot-engaging position, means for actuating said tripping means to release said plunger, said last-named means comprising amovable member 'slidably mounted on 'said laybeam, means connected with said movable member and connected to a stationary element of said loom for actuating said movable member as said laybeam swings forwardly and backwardly, and means controlled by said movable member for actuating said latch-displacing means and said tripping means.

9. Ina loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the c ombination comprising a laybeam, a device for receiving and projecting a pilot, a plunger for projecting a pilot, a spring for energizing said plunger to propel a pilot from said device, means for retracting said plungen means for holding said plunger in retracted position, a latch 'engageable with said pilot in said pilotreceiving andprojecting device, means for retracting said latch from engagement with'said pilot, means for tripping said holding means to release said plunger, a movable member mounted on said laybeam, means for reciprocating said member in timed relation to the movement of said laybeam, and means controlled by said member for operating said latch-releasing means and said tripping means in timed relation to each other.

7 10. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunge'rs movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, means for retracting said plunger, means for holding said plunger in retracted position, a depressor for moving a thread into the path of gripping means carried by a pilot, means connected with said holding means for actuating said depressor, means for tripping said holding means and for actuating said depressor to release said plunger and to engage a filling thread on a propelled pilot.

' l1. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member 'for projecting a pilot from said base member, means for retracting said plunger, means including a trigger member for holding said plunger in retracted position, a resilient member mountedon said base member and disposed opposite from a pilot in said base member and operable to press a thread against said pilot, means having connection with said trigger member for moving said resilientmember toward said pilot, and means for actuating said trigger.

12. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilot projecting device mounted on said laybeam, a box associat'ed with said device for receiving a pilot having releasable thread-gripping means, means for actuating said thread-gripping means to release athread therefrom, and means for controlling the operation of said actuating means and of said pilot projecting device in timed relation to each other, said controlling means including a rod slidably mounted on said laybeam, and articulated means connected with said rod and to a stationary element of said loom for actuating said rod in timed relation to the movement of said laybeam.

13. In a loom havingmechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilot projecting device mounted on said laybeam, a box associated with said device for receiving a pilot, a pilot carrying releasable thread-gripping means having a hooking element and a resilient element for engaging a thread therebe'tween; means for actuating said resilient element to release a thread from said thread-gripping means, means for operating said pilot projecting device to project "a pilot therefrom, means for controlling the-operation of said actuating means and of said operating means;

, vice for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, slidable means movable in one direction for cocking said plunger, means for holding said plunger in cocked position, said holding means including a pivo-tedlatch, an arm mounted for rotation about the pivot of said latch, a catch for engaging said plunger, said catch being rotatably mounted on said am, a trigger engaging said latch when said plunger is held'in cocked position by said catch, means operated by said slidable means for tripping said trigger to release said latch when said slidable means moves in the opposite direction, and means carried by'said latch and engageable by said plunger to restore said latch in holding engagement with said trigger. r

15.. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybearn, aspi ing-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member,

means for retracting said plunger to cocked position, means 'for holding said plunger in cocked position, 'said holding means including a pivoted latch, a pivoted catch for engaging said plunger, the pivot of said catch being mounted for rotation with said latch, a pivoted trigger for supporting said latch when said plunger is held in cocked position by said catch, a spring urging said latch into engagement with said trigger, means carried by said latch and engageable by said plunger to move said latch to holding position in engagement with said trigger, and means for actuating said trigger to allow said latch and catch to pivot and withdraw said catch from engagement with saidplunger.

16. In a. loom having mechanism for reciprocating'a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said 'device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, means-for cocking said plunger, means for holding 'said plunger in 17. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a; laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a devicemounted on said laybearn for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, means for actuating said device to project a pilot in timed relation to the movement of the laybeam, means mounted on said laybeam for tensioning a filling thread being carried by a pilot projected from said projectingdevice, andmeans for actuating said threadt'ensioriing device to apply tension tosaid thread in timed a relation to "said first-na'rned actuating -means.

18. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam,

a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said base member, means for retracting saidplunger, means for holding said plunger in retracted position, means for tripping said holding means to release said plunger, means for actuating said retracting means and said tripping means in timed relation to-the movement of the laybeam, said actuating means including a member mounted on said laybeam and connected to a stationary element of said loorn,-and means controlled by said last-named member for tensioninga filling thread being carried by a pilot projected from saidprojecting devicef 19. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprisinga laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a base member mounted on said laybeam, a spring-actuated plunger movable in said base member for projecting a pilot from said basemember, means for retracting said plunger, means for holding said plunger in retracted position, means for tripping said holding means to release said plunger, means for actuating saidjretracting means and said tripping means in timed relation to the movement of the laybeam, said last-named means including a'slidable member mounted on said laybeam and means connecting'said slidable member to a stationary element of said loom for reciprocating said slidablememher with each reciprocation of said laybeam, means for tensioning a filling thread carried by a pilot projected from said projecting device, and means controlled by said slidable member for activating said thread-tensioning device to tension said thread. p

20. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device on said laybeam for receiving and projecting a pilot, means for projecting a pilot therefrom, means for oper: ating said pilot-projecting means, thread-tensio'ning means for engaging a thread extending from a source of supply to a pilot in said device, means controlled by said operating means to cause said thread-tensioning means to apply frictional restrtaint to a thread trailing a pilot projected from said receiving and projecting device.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein said thread-tensioning means comprises a pair of elements be.-; tween which said thread is threaded, and means forpressing said elements toward one another for elfecting restraint onrthe travel of the thread therebetween.

V 22. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein saidv thread-tensioning means comprises a pair of elements engaging opposite sides of said thread, a movable member contacting one of said elements, and aetuatable resilient means engaging said movable member for yieldably urg ing said elements into frictional engagement with said thread. 23. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device mounted on said laybeam for projecting a pilot, means for tensioning a filling thread being carried by a pilot projected from said device, said thread-tensioning device comprising a pair of elements for engaging opposite sides of said thread, means for moving one of said elements toward the other, said last-named means includ-. ing a movable member, a pivoted double-arm spring mem- -16 laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device mounted on saidlaybeam for projecting a pilot, meansfor guiding a thread attached to. a pilot projected from said device, a pivoted double. arm spring member, anactuatable member engaging an arm of said double arm spring member and normally supporting Said double arm springmember. against rotation, a displaceable thread-engaging member held in normal operating p01 sition by said thread to prevent movement of the other arm of said double arm spring member,switch means adapted to be actuated .to' stop "movement of .said laybeam when actuated bythelsaid other arm of said double arm springmember, and means for actuatingsaid actu' atable member to exert force on saidfirst-named arm to flex said first-named arm and urge said double arm spring member to pivot each time a pilot is projected whereby if said thread breaksand said displaceable thread engaging member becomes displacedfromnormal positionsaid other arm of said double arm spring member is moved from said device, a pivoted member having two flexible arms, a movable member engaging one arm of said pivotedjmember andnormally supported said pivoted memmember is freed to move out of obstructing position of her, a switch for stopping the movement of said laybeam, said switch being operable by the second arm of. said. pivoted membena displaceable thread-engaging member normally held by said thread in position forobstructing movement of said second arm and theoperation of said switch, means operated bysaidmovable member to actuate said first-named arm to pivot said pivoted member whereby it a thread, breaks and said thread-engaging said second-named arm said pivoted member is "pivoted and said switch is ope'ratedby said second-named arm. 26. In a loomhaving mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a deviceforproiecting a pilot lengthwise of saidlaybeam',

means for guiding a thread attached to a pilot projected from said device, switch means operable for stopping the movement of said laybeam upon breakage of arthread,-

a pivoted double arm spring member having one arm engageable with said switch means for operating saidswitch means and a second arm adapted to be moved during the flight of a pilot, a displaceable member nor-- mally supported by said thread and held by the thread in position to obstruct movement of. said first-named arm and thereby prevent said first-named arm from operating.

her having one arm supporting said movable member and reciprocation of said laybeam,jmeans operated by said slide rod for actuating said pilot-projecting device, and means carried on said slide rod for operating said slidable member and control cam to cause said spring member to transmit yieldable pressure on said thread during the flight of a pilot from said device.

I a m havin a a as er is erman as said switch means but displaceable from normal position upon breakage of a thread to' permit'said. first-named arm to operate said' switch means, means operable by saideecondarm for applying tension to said thread, and,means operable in timed relation to the movement of the .lay-

beam to engage said second arm to. flex said second arm and exert a pivoting force onjsaid doublearm spring member during the flight of a pilot from saiddevice.

27. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combinationcomprising'a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, shear ing means comprising relatively movable blades for cut-.

ting a filling threadwhich has been insertedby: a pilot projected from said device, means mounted on said .laybeamfor operating'said'shearing means, and means operable in timed relationto the movement of the laybeam for controlling the actionof said operating means tO'Cf'r.

9t9sl by a pilot projected from aiddevisa aid h w 1-57 ieli a sjb'j" smouae pn a d ybe rnand vi a movable blade and afi xed blade, a s ring plate adjacent said movable blade whereby on the cutting'motion of said movable blade the thread is pinched between the movable blade andtthe spring plate and thcreby'hcld before the thread is out upon further cutting movement or" the movable blade, means for operatingsaidmo'vable blade, and means'operable in timed relation tothejm'ovementof the laybeam for controlling the action of said shearing means.

29. In a 100m having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a'p'ilot box on said laybeam, a plunger for striking a pilot in said box, means for impelling said plunger toward said box, means for controlling the operation ofsaid plunger-impelling meansto impel said plunger toward said box, said controlling means including a movable member carried by said laybeam, means for retracting said plunger after a pilot has been projected thereby, means actuated by said movable member for actuating said plunger-retracting means, and means operated in timed relationship to the movement of said laybeam for actuating said movable member to efiect plunger-impelling and plunger-retrace,

ing actions during differentstrokes of the laybeam.

30. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilotprojecting device on said laybeam, said deviceincluding a pilot box and a striker element for projecting a pilot from the box, means for holding said striker element in a retracted position, means for impelling said striker element to strike a pilot in said box, means for restoring said striker element to retracted position after a pilot has been projected, and means for controlling the 'impelling action of said impelling means and the retracting action of said retracting means in different strokes of the laybeam, said controlling meanscomprising a movable member mounted on said laybeam and means for reciprocating said member in timed relation to the movements of said laybeam.

31. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilotprojecting device mounted on said laybeam, said device including a pilot box and an element movable between a retracted position and said box for projecting a pilot from said box, means for impelling said element from retracted position into striking engagement with a pilot contained in said box, means for retracting said element after projection of a pilot, and means for controlling the impelling operation of said impelling means and the retracting operation of said retracting means in timed relationship to the movements of the laybeam, said controlling means including a movable member mounted on said laybeam and articulated members having connection with said movable member and with a stationary element of said loom whereby said member is moved in opposite directions in different strokes of the laybeam.

32. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilotprojecting device mounted on said laybeam, said device including a pilot box and a striker element movable between a retracted position and said box for projecting a pilot from said box, means for impelling said striker element into striking engagement with a pilot contained in said box, a slidable member mounted on said laybeam, means carried by said slidable member for controlling the impelling action of said impelling means as said slidable member moves in one direction, means carried by said slidable member for retracting said striker element as said slidable member moves in the opposite direction, said retracting means including a second member movable crosswise of said slidable member, means for moving said second member to a position enabling engagement of said striker element to return said striker element to retracted position, and means for reciprocatair-regressi=4, ing said slidable member in ments of saidlaybeamr "ed reiaridn t6 the iii if 33. a a loom having mechanism r rieei iacanng a between a retracted position and said box -for projecting,

a pilot. from said box, means for' impelling said element into striking engagement with a pilot contained in said, box, a slidable member mounted on said laybeam, means carried by said slidable member for restoring sa'id'striker element to retracted position sa'id re'storingtmeans including a second member carrie'dby Sa'id slidable member and movable into andout of the line ravel of'said striker element, means" for reciprocating said slidable e ber in timed relationshi to the movement or s a f; ybe efia ns id ha g a sur ce r ing an elevating a d s K into 'ejli 'neof avel of said" striker element d slidable member move one direction, said de holding saidjsecond nremb elevated rora a po n of -the. mt'averhe'nt of said s bl member n t t e, 022 s di tion w eupon, if said striker element has "een impelled, it is picked up tion by. the continuln" m veme'nt of saidslidable member n ai dppgs d striker eleme'ntiir retracted position; 3 I

34-, In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating} a yb am; the v r i nso rr e a a m P ot bo a d y am; p u rtf S k a pild k n d 9 i s iii l in aid; O in ari l rzim el ms. 1 t, bda e i i controlling ttr'operanonf said lunger impening-means, said controlling means including a member slidably mounted on said laybeam, means actuated by said controlling means for disengaging said pilot-locking means from engagement with a pilot insaid box, and means operated in timed relationship to the movement of said laybeam for reciprocating said movable member.

35. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a pilot-box mounted on said laybeam and a striker element adapted to enter one end of said box for striking a pilot contained in said box, a member disposed at said end of said box for arresting the flight of a pilot entering said box, said member having an'opening for the passage of said striker element, a latch engageable with a pilot contained in said box, means for impelling said striker element into strikingengagement with a pilot contained in said box, means for withdrawing said latch from engagement with a pilot contained in said box, and means for controlling the actuation of said latch-withdrawing means and the impelling action of said impelling means to eifect the withdrawal of said latch in advance of the engagement of a pilot contained in said box by said striker element.

36. In a loom having mechanism for reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a device for projecting a pilot lengthwise of said laybeam, said device including a pilot-box mounted on said laybeam and a striker element for striking a pilot contained in said box, said box having an opening for the entry of said striker element, means for receiving the impact of a pilot entering said box, a latch engageable with a pilot cond restored to retracted posi- "on, and, means for holding said" ment of a pilot contained in said'box by said striker element. i

37. In aloorn having nechanism for reciprocating a laybea'm, the combination;comprisingfle laybe' m, 3 P projecting device on said. laybearnjsaid device including a pilot box and means for projecting a pilot from said box, means for" moving a thread into position to be picked up byfgripping means on a pilot in said box, means for tripping said device to project a pilot from said box, means for controlling the operation of said thread-positioning means in timed relation to the opera tion of said tripping means, and means for controlling the tripping action of said tripping means in timed relation to the movement of said laybeam.

38. In a loom having mechanism for'reciprocating a, laybeam, the'combination comprising a laybeam, a pilotprojectin'g device on said laybeam, said device including a pilot box and means for projecting a pilot from said box, means for movinga thread into pos itiori'tjo bepicked-up by gripping means on a pilot in 'said box, me"ans for' C011, trolling the action of said thread-moving rnfeansto position a thread for pick-up in advance of the pilot-proje'ct-3 ing action of said pilot-projecting device, and means for actuating said pilot-projecting device, said actuatingmeans comprising a'movable member mounted on said layb'eam' andarticulated members having connection-with said movable member and with a stationary element of said loom. I .7

' 39. In a looin having mechanism forreciprocating a laybeam, the combination'comprising a laybeam, a pilot'- projecting' device mounted ,on said laybeam, said device including a pilot box and means for projecting a pilot from said box, means for actuating said pilot-projecting device to project a pilot in timed relationto the movement of'saidv laybeam, said actuating means including a mov:v able member. mounted bn, saidfl'aybeam and, connected to a stationary elementpfisaidloom, means Ir'nounted onj said laybeam for' ilil lli ngteiiisionlto a'filling threadbeing carried byfa pilotl'projeiiied from said projecting ,device, and means operated by saidacttiating means for controlling the operation of said tensionapplying means in timed, relation to the travel of a 'pilot from said pilotprojecting device.

40. In a loom having mechanism for, reciprocating a laybeam, the combination comprising a laybeam, a pilotprojecting device on said laybeam, said device including a pilot box and means for projecting 'a pilot from said box,

thread shearing means, means, mounting said, shearing means adjacent the mouth of said pilot box, means cooperating with said shearing meansforholdingan end of a 'thre'a'dcut by said shearing means, and meansfcan ried on said laybeam and having connection with a. fixed element for effecting actuations of said shearing means and said pilot-projecting device in timed relation to each other and to the movement of said laybeam.

References Cited in the file of thispatent D n m 

